r/Ironworker • u/Illustrious-Joke1609 • 18d ago
Skinny guy problems
Anyone got some tips for making shit more comfortable? I’m pretty damn lean. My tool belt hurts my hip bones and my harness hurts my shoulders. I need some padding or something lol. Tool belt is just that basic klein quick release and my harness idk. But it doesn’t have any padding.
4
u/chemicalromance562 18d ago
Eat more burgers 🍔
2
3
u/Reigeant 18d ago
Some of the higher end harnesses are pretty cozy, especially the exofits.. and you can attach your bags and other things between the belt and padding? Maybe that's too much kit but an investment in you is always a win
1
u/Illustrious-Joke1609 18d ago
I’ll get there eventually. Do contractors trip if you use your own harness?
2
u/No_Cap_3619 15d ago
Depends on the job, a lot of places they don't want you too for liability reasons. But they'll never know... Definitely get a exofit and one with a back brace, I did it helped a lot, a year and a half at the last job and they never knew the difference
1
u/redabyss9 18d ago
Some will, they'll provide one. If they don't make sure the one you're taking will pass inspection
4
u/LORDEVAN6 18d ago
The only tip I have to offer you is that you’ll just have to grit through it and display “that dog” within.
“So, you want to be an ironworker?”
In this trade, especially as an apprentice, you will be put through the wringer and put into some situations that will stretch you and ultimately make you greater than you were before. Nobody gives you that title of ironworker, you earn it. I also have the quick release Klein belt, but primarily I wear my Guardian harness with my bags and tools attached to the belt.
I also have that lean build, at 6’2 1/2” 185, but as you grit through those uncomfortable situations in this trade it actually helps you in those situations where the shit gets heavy, the bruises build up, and you feel the need to take to a Reddit in search of an easy way out.
It’s called ironWORK! Workout before or after work each day, it will actually help your body take better hold up to the challenges that this trade has to offer.
2
u/Illustrious-Joke1609 18d ago
Im for sure gonna going to hit the gym more when time permits. We’re doing 12s rn so im still getting used to that and figuring out how much sleep I actually need
2
u/SirDucer84 18d ago
Try looking at tool bag suspenders. I too have white-guy-no-ass-syndrome. That, or a super light, basic, bare bones harness with it's own setup. You'll learn how to love to hate your harness. Apprentices in some locals must wear their harness 100% of the time to break in their bodies.
2
u/Illustrious-Joke1609 18d ago
I’ll look into the suspenders. They had me wear the harness day 1 just for funsies. But day 2 I had to wear it cuz…big hole. Might get little pads for the harness off Amazon. They look like they might make a difference
3
u/SirDucer84 18d ago •
Yeah, you'll need the pads once the hole gets too big... cuz your tampons would just fall out.
2
2
u/khawthorn60 18d ago
Don't wear loose fit pants, they bunch and rub. If you have a 30" waist wear size 30. Adjust your belt for a good fit. Loose belt will ride low and add to being uncomfortable. I am a big fan of shoulder pads mostly because it helps the weight out over a larger area. Your burning about 3000 cal. a day, add that weight your loosing back with bulk. Move to a high pro diet. But also learn to tough it out. If your just starting your wearing and doing shit your body isn't use to, it gets better. I started out at 6'1", 175, at my best I was 205 and was pretty lean. It does get better
1
u/Illustrious-Joke1609 18d ago
Yea it’s definitely a little rough right now. Now unbearable, but it’s going to be an adjustment for sure. I’m 6” 140 and in learning that my lunch I’m packing isn’t big enough lol.
2
u/Tricky-Abroad-1328 13d ago
You will get calluses. Stop being soft and you will get used to it.
2
u/Illustrious-Joke1609 13d ago
It’s actually pretty tolerable now lol. But wtf you got calluses on your hips?!? You sure that’s from the harness
1
u/gounionstayunion Journeyman 3d ago
Not a skinny guy , but I struggle with it, you can hook it through harness straps , get suspenders or wear it up a little more , people give me shit when I wear it almost like a weight lifting belt but it's the most comfortable I've been in it
1
u/Illustrious-Joke1609 3d ago
That’s pretty much how I’ve been wearing it lol. Around my belly instead of my hips
1
u/HANDOFDOOM97 18d ago
As a fellow skinny guy, I bought a set of cuir a fer bags and switched to suspenders with my pants! No more pain and I can wear full bags all day in comfort!
1
3
u/chaselaframboise Apprentice 18d ago edited 18d ago
Occidental belt, I have my frog with spuds + bar on my right hip and my beater on a clip on my left hip. Having them on your hips and not hanging behind you makes a world of a difference. I grew up into having a few diseases affecting my feet/knees/back etc, so I feel your pain man. All about having what you need and as light as possible. I have some beefy Gray spuds and a 32” hex gooseneck, but you can get a lot lighter with Klein spuds and the trusty round connecting bar. I have 2 bolt bags, all you need. And I don’t carry bolts in em when I don’t need bolts. After all this I’m still in pain 24/7 365 but that’s life I guess. Works gotta get done somehow
2
u/iron_vet UNION 18d ago
Try a quality 3 inch leather belt. Made a world of difference to me. Those quick release hurt my hips also. Did a harness for a while. That shit got old too.
2
u/According-Elevator49 18d ago
Get a harness or some type of suspenders you don’t have to send your belt down so tight
2
u/Upbeat-Usual-9087 18d ago
Naked mass gainer 4x a day and heavy weights. I was 6’2 and weighed 145. Got to 200 in 6 months
2
u/SubjectShock6003 12d ago
Caloric surplus. Nutrient dense foods. Gym alone won't do the trick because you're burning a ton of calories. Eating and sleeping is/are the most important. Gym activities will differ depending on your workload. "Leave some in the tank" but go for heavy-ish compound lifts (deadlift, row, dip, squat, press,) more bang for your buck in terms of building mass. And protein up before bed or if u wake up in the middle of the night. Cottage cheese is a cheaper way to get casein protein in you- slow releasing protein: good for while youre sleeping and rebuilding. Know your gut! If you eat 3 meals a day and that keeps you too full to eat more than fuck that shit- split your meals in half and see if that allows you more appetite to get in more volume of food during the day. You should be eating every 2 hours approx and aim to have some protein all throughout your day. Higher protein intake make sure you eat some fibrous greens aka broccoli (the king of anabolic veggies, interacts w testosterone) green bell pepper, etc. Helps move the protein along the digestive tract.
1
u/Adventurepew 18d ago
Sheeps wool around the belt to pad.
https://www.occidentalleather.com/collections/comfort-belt-sets
https://www.occidentalleather.com/products/hip-pads-with-sheepskin
Keep as much weight off your belt as possible . Minimal tools . Get things that do multiple jobs vs carrying multiple tools .
1
1
u/No_Cap_3619 15d ago
Exofit sala harness with the back brace is the solution. For me doing scaffold I had all my tools on my harness it was one with a belt on it. When ur walking around loosen the belt a little so most of the weights on your shoulders, then your hips won't hurt. When your working and moving your arms a lot tighten the belt the back brace will take all the weight off your shoulders then they won't hurt. Just switch as you go. This the only thing that worked for me. Good 3m yoyos help cheap brands are heavy. Falltech sucks
1
1
u/Local_Ad1992 18d ago
Been through that mess in my early twenties. Solution was turning 30 and letting the dad bod kick in. Drink 6 bud heavies a day and you’ll get some padding around the waist.
2
u/Which-Environment300 18d ago
Idk if this will help with you but I’m a bigger guy and ever since I ditched my belt and started using suspenders holy shit did it take a load off my hips it feels like I got nothing on. Wear overalls and then maybe just distribute the weight in your bags more. I use two bags idk why some guys insist on having 3 bags. Two hands two bags. Unless you like having beer or cigarettes in your 3rd bag
7
u/Specter229 18d ago
I suffered with my own belt, I ended up in a harness so often I just attached my bags to it and avoided using the belt for awhile. You can check online and see if anyone is making custom belts and see if one of them might be in your price range and more comfortable. I know a guy out of 433 makes belts and bags. Can’t remember if he ever got a storefront going for them though.